Water technology company Xylem (NYSE: XYL) has expanded its long-running partnership with Dow (NYSE: DOW), signing an agreement to design, build and operate an advanced water system at the chemical maker’s large industrial complex in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada.
The deal supports the increased operations tied to Dow’s Path2Zero project and is expected to be fully operational by August 2028. Under the arrangement, Xylem will provide a single end-to-end solution spanning engineering, system design and long-term operation, taking responsibility for the supply, treatment and reuse of water across the site.
“This agreement represents a major milestone for Xylem,” said Rodney Aulick, executive vice president and president of Water Solutions and Services at Xylem. He said the deal reflected a long-standing relationship with Dow and demonstrated how the company is “advancing total water management for industry by integrating supply, treatment and reuse into one seamless solution.”
Skya Kruithof, president of Dow Canada, said Xylem had been a trusted partner for many years. “The Xylem team’s ability to provide water efficiently, reliably and with consistent quality is critical to supporting safe operations as we advance our Path2Zero program,” she said.
A single partner for the full water cycle
Xylem will lead the complete process design and operate an integrated system that manages the entire water cycle at the site. Raw water will be treated for industrial use, while water drawn from cooling and industrial processes will be converted into high-quality, reusable supply using advanced multi-stage treatment technologies.
Placing one partner in charge of system performance, water quality and supply across such a large and complex facility marks what Xylem describes as a step change in how industrial water systems are delivered and managed.
Reducing freshwater demand
A defining feature of the project is its integrated reuse capability, which is expected to significantly cut freshwater demand by turning processed water into a valuable resource. By building large-scale reuse into a long-term agreement, the project shows how industrial operators can improve efficiency, strengthen resilience and ease pressure on local water resources.
The approach echoes a wider industry shift towards treating wastewater as a resource rather than a waste stream, a trend explored in H2O Global News’ coverage of how industrial water reuse is creating better outcomes for society. It also builds on Xylem’s growing digital and operational portfolio, including its Xylem Vue offering, which was recently recognised for design excellence at WEFTEC 2025.
Xylem, a Fortune 500 company with around 22,000 employees and revenue of $9 billion in 2025, said the agreement reinforced its role as a strategic partner helping industrial customers tackle complex water challenges through practical, performance-driven solutions.
Frequently asked questions
What has Xylem agreed to do for Dow?
Xylem will design, build and operate an integrated water system at Dow’s industrial complex in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, providing a single end-to-end solution covering engineering, system design, treatment, reuse and long-term operation.
When will the new water system be operational?
The system is expected to be operational by August 2028.
How does the project reduce freshwater use?
The system converts water from cooling and industrial processes into high-quality reusable supply through advanced multi-stage treatment, which is expected to significantly reduce the site’s demand for freshwater.
What is Dow’s Path2Zero project?
Path2Zero is Dow’s programme to expand its operations at the Fort Saskatchewan site; the new Xylem water agreement supports the increased operations tied to that project.
